Human
beings have an infinite capacity to adapt and cope with
adverse and challenging conditions presented in everyday
life and within their natural ecosystem. Whether by choice
or compulsion, the human spirit has the tenacity and creativity
to withstand and adjust in the most trying circumstances.
Our forefathers, from the Stone Age and millenniums thereafter,
survived natural hazards like floods, earthquakes, impact
of asteroids, jungle fires and diseases despite limited
intelligence. Their life, at that point of time, without
any knowledge of science and technology, was fraught with
immense and impending danger all the time. Dying of starvation
was an ever-present danger. The fear of more powerful
and deadly animals kept them on the run from place to
place. Each day seemed to be like a gift of God. They
did not have the concept of God, as we understand, to
give them a sense of protection. They were acting instinctively
and not intellectually like the evolved human races that
came much later in the scale of time. Yet the tiny human
being prevailed even when the huge and mighty Dinosaurs
perished.

From
Stone Age to the modern age of advanced science and technology
the human race has made a long and journey forward in
the path of evolution. In its never-ending sojourn into
the unknown realms, the human society is making forays
into the newer and more advanced vistas of perceptive
realities of our existence. Space journey, Genetic Engineering,
Oceanic Explorations, Communication through the Internet,
Nuclear Power, Cloning of some species are but a few examples
of such advancement. Presently the earth’s environment
is undergoing an ecological imbalance, evidence of which
is available all over the media and Internet. Our science
and technology is gearing up to these challenges. However,
this is not for the first time that the earth is undergoing
environmental and ecological changes. Over the last 4
billion years, the earth’s climate has changed several
times such as, the Ice Age or Glacier Age. Similarly global
warming is not a new phenomenon on earth. If the human
race, without any knowledge of science and technology
managed to survive through these extreme changes based
on instinct and resourcefulness only, how can one imagine
that the human society will be annihilated or destroyed
when we have such continuously advancing scientific knowledge
and technology?

On
an astrological note, our ancient Indian civilization,
has schools of thoughts and doctrines making future predictions.
However, it is important to note, that the Indian Vedic
seers were highly advanced in the Astronomical system
of time calculation. Indian Astrology, based on Vedic
astronomy, is more scientific and advanced than any other
astrological system in the world. The Vedic astronomers
have calculated time up to 15 digits or more. It proclaims
the concepts of Kalpa, Manwantara, Maha Yuga and Yuga.
According to Surya Siddhanta - the earliest tradition
or doctrine of Archeo-Astronomy of the Hindus, the Kali
Yuga started on 14th February 3102 BCE. The total period
of time of the Kali Yuga is 432000 years and is running
its 5115th year as on 2013 AD. Given this time scale how
can any one accept the assertion that the Kali Yuga is
getting over and Satya Yuga coming soon.

One
is surprised to read news items forecasting the end of
the world on a specific date and time. Certain individuals
and cults, the most recent example being the Mayan prophecy,
have codified these claims hundreds of years back, projecting
themselves as agents of God. Even they can be excused
for their utter ignorance but how can the modern man,
with all the benefits he is reaping through the use of
science and technology, be excused for accepting such
hilarious fantasies and worse still, running to astrologers
and temples for saving himself from such a catastrophe.
Given the mighty dimension of the perceived problem, how
can any one think that ‘he’ alone will be
saved by conducting such activities? It is interesting
to note that, rarely any of these prophets of doom had
ever imagined and written anything about the great scientific
and technological advancements the human society has undergone.
Did any one predict that during such and such period human
beings would land on the Moon?

From
the age of ten, I have been hearing about such impending
doomsday scenarios intermittently. I have seen the panic
reactions of people and the evil propitiation activities
undertaken with frenzy - calling on the Astrologers, running
to the temples, conducting Yagnas and many other activities.
Some people, it seems, are ever prepared to listen to
the preposterous predictions made by the Prophets of Doom
rather that listening to the sayings of the Divine Prophets.
Such an attitude creates panic and confusion rather than
offering any solution. The true devotees of God or Sadguru
should avoid reacting to such imprudent assertions made
from time to time. After all, God and Perfect Masters
are there to take care of our little existence. Whenever
our mind gets afflicted through such thoughts, we should
render prayers to God the Sadguru to reveal the truth
to us. Believe me, it works.

You may have given many different gifts to your
friends and loved ones, but giving a subscription
of "Heritage of Shirdi Sai" magazine would be a
unique gift as it connects the people you love with
SADGURU SHIRDI SAI and brings His blessings with
the gift.

Topic of Discussion feature is
intended to initiate useful discussions on topics
related to Shirdi Sai Philosophy and His teachings,
Guru Tradition, Teachings of the Sadguru,
the nature and functions of the Perfect Masters,
true devotion, qualification of a disciple, etc.

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